Southern properties on the rise

PHUKET: The northwest region of Phuket has been the most popular area on the island for residential properties over the past 15 years, due to the many west coast beaches, the Laguna complex encouraging further nearby construction and the convenient proximity to Phuket International Airport.

This high demand has led to the average three-bedroom villa along this stretch of coast costing about 20 million baht, compared with an average of about 12mn baht in the south of the island. The key reason for this considerable difference is the greatly increased land costs in the northwest, which makes it more costly for development.

However, over recent years, Chalong, Rawai and Nai Harn have surged in popularity. The southern areas now have large expat communities who are attracted to the peaceful environment and beautiful Nai Harn Beach, as well as the great variety of restaurants, bars, markets, bakeries and convenience stores there. With all this on local residents’ doorsteps, and Phuket Town only 20 minutes’ drive away, there is not much more inbound expats need, or want, or are looking for.

A prime example of what you can get for your money in the south is this brand-new three-bedroom pool villa in a quiet area of Rawai.

This newly completed freehold villa is of a modern, Thai-Balinese design, in an L-shaped layout. The covered double car port at the front creates a fine-looking entrance, and steps lead up to the pool area and into the house.

The main open-plan living space is to the side and the bedrooms run along the back of the property. This layout ensures privacy and pleasant views from all rooms, as well as direct access to the pool or terrace.

The open-plan lounge, kitchen and dining areas together feature a high-vaulted ceiling with beams following the shape of the pointed roof. Not only an attractive and interesting detail, the ceiling creates a cool and bright space.

This spacious area has high-quality patio doors that open out fully onto the pool area, making it a great area for entertaining inside and out. Additionally, the modern western kitchen boasts high-quality finishings and built-in appliances – the property comes fully furnished.

All three bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, hardwood flooring and fitted wardrobes. The master bedroom has a beautiful vaulted ceiling, complete with an en-suite bathroom and a large bathtub.

An additional terrace at the side of the property can be accessed from both the third bedroom and the living area. There is a sala at the end of the pool that provides a shaded area for relaxing, eating or working. The property also has its own steam room.

The villas – located on a small soi set back from the main road which leads to Chalong to the north and Rawai and Nai Harn to the south – offer more than 200sqm of internal space, located on two plots of 490sqm and 600sqm, together offering a combined 1,090sqm.

The mountainous surroundings create a pleasant environment and peaceful views. There is mains water supply and quality three-phase electrical supply. The villa has fans throughout and air conditioning in all three bedrooms.

The property comes with full Chanote land title deeds and is available freehold or leasehold: Plot 1 (490sqm) at 12.5mn baht; and Plot 2 (600sqm) at 14mn baht.